Kyrgyz Health Ministry to buy 800,000 doses of influenza vaccines

AKIPRESS.COM - The Ministry of Health is buying more than 800,000 doses of influenza vaccines, representative of Health Ministry's Department for Disease Prevention and Sanitary Control Dinagul Otorbaeva said. Kyrgyzstan buys trivalent influenza vaccines every year, which include infuenza A (H1N1, H3N2) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and influenza B/Victoria virus. This year WHO recommends quadrivalent influenza vaccines, which include influenza A (H1N109, H3N2) viruses and two influenza B viruses.
The tender was held for purchase of vaccines. The contract was signed for purchase of more than 111,000 influenza vaccines, she said.
"In view of the coronavirus situation and expected second wave, the order for additional 700,000 doses was prepared and submitted for consideration," Dinagul Otorbaeva added.
High respiratory diseases prevalence rate is observed in Kyrgyzstan every year from October to April. The peak lasts from December to February. The Ministry of Health plans to buy T-systems and reagents to identify kind of circulated viruses.
The vaccines will be distributed between the regions to vaccinate people with chronic medical conditions, medical workers, citizens over 65 years, pregnant women. People in risk groups in Kyrgyzstan include more than 700,000 people. Children attending kindergartens and schools, teachers are subject to vaccination as well.
"The purchased vaccines will not be enough for all people willing to be vaccinated against flu. This is why the Ministry of Health allows flu vaccination at private medical care providers," Otorbaeva said.